How To Choose A Corporate Event Company

Organising a corporate event involves a huge amount of planning and work. It is common practice to hire a corporate event company to handle the majority of the work for you.

When looking for a corporate event company it is important you decide on the type of event you want to host, the location of the event and how many people will likely attend. That will allow you to choose the right company with the right expertise.

Is your event:

• An exhibition


• A conference


• A seminar


• A party


• An awards dinner


• A product launch


• A charity fundraiser


• A press day


• A staff party

All of these and more can be handled by a good events company but some specialise in specific types of events.

Do you want to host the event:

• At your offices


• At a hotel


• In a bar


• Outdoors


• In a marquee


• At a specialist type of venue


• Abroad

Is your event for:

• Your staff


• Your customers and clients


• Prospective customers and clients


• The local community


• The press


• Any combination of the above!

You will also have to have a budget in mind. An events management company will be able to advise you on what you can and can't achieve with your budget and then you can adjust accordingly to ensure you organise the event properly.

Once you've made these decisions you can begin researching and contacting corporate event companies.

A Google search for "corporate event company" will give you a long list of potential companies. Take a look at their websites, see what they specialise in, read any testimonials they may have and make a list of the ones that you think will manage your event best.

Those companies should have experience in organising events of the type, location and size you have in mind. This is where testimonials will be especially useful. Successfully organised events on behalf of well-known, blue chip companies will give you the confidence that this event management company can do the same for you.

A corporate event company should be able to provide venue finding, catering, lighting, d矇cor, entertainment including band or disco and any other musical entertainment, audio/visual equipment, marquee hire, drinks and hire of bars, photography and video services, all necessary event staff and even florists, security, transport, valet parking, hotel reservations and invitations.

Once you have your list - three to five companies should be enough - contact each of the companies and invite them to discuss your requirements and provide a quote.

Meet them in person so you can judge how well you will work together in the planning of your event so that on the day you can concentrate on your guests and not worry about the event itself.

The corporate event company you eventually choose will require an upfront fee on booking confirmation (usually around 10% with further payments due as the event gets closer) as they will incur costs right from the start.

They will begin using suppliers who will require upfront payment themselves, so don't think this is unusual.

The chosen corporate events company will work within the budget you set anyway and ensure your event goes to plan so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the day.